A29686:444
A cabinet of choice jewels, or, A box of precious ointment being a plain…A cabinet of choice jevvels, or, A box of precious ointment being a plain…
A cabinet of choice jewels, or, A box of precious ointment being a plain discovery of, or, what men are worth for eternity, and how 'tis like to go with them in another world ... / by Thomas Brooks ...A cabinet of choice jevvels, or, A box of precious ointment being a plain discovery of, or, what men are worth for eternity, and how 'tis like to go with them in another world ... / by Thomas Brooks ...
London : Printed and are to be sold by John Hancock ..., 1669
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Omnia si perdas, animam servare memento. If all things else must needs be lost, Yet save thy soul what e'er it cost.
Omnia si perdas, animam servare memento. If all things else must needs be lost, Yet save thy soul what e're it cost.
He that makes it his business to watch, and weep, and sigh, and groan most over his own heart, he doubtless is in a gracious estate; he that makes it his work, his daily work, his greatest work,1 his work of works, to keep a continual guard upon his heart, he certainly is in a blessed estate; he that lamentingly cries out, O, that my soul did but prosper as my body! O, that my inward man were but in as good a frame as my outward man! O, that this proud heart were but more humble! O, that this hard heart were but more softened! O, that this carnal heart were but more spiritual! O, that this earthly heart were but more heavenly! O, that this unbelieving heart were but more believing! O, that this passionate heart were but more meek! O, that this slight heart were but more serious! O, that this blind heart were but more enlightened! O, that this dull heart were but more quickened! O, my heart, my heart! when wilt thou be better? O, my God, my God! when shall my heart be better? O, bring it into a gracious frame, and for ever keep it in a gracious frame! He that thus lamentingly cries out of his heart, he certainly has an honest heart, and will be happy for ever. O Lord, my memory is weak, and my utterance is bad, and my ⟨p. 215⟩understanding is dark, and my gifts are low, and my affections are flat, and my temptations are strong,2 and my corruptions are prevalent; but thou who art the great heart searcher, thou knowest that I would fain have my heart in a better temper; I had rather have my heart brought into a gracious frame, and kept in a gracious frame, than to have all the riches of the Indies, than to be an Emperor, yea than to be King over all the earth. If it be indeed thus with thee, thou art blest, and shalt be blest for ever,